Texas 2016 State Policy Detail

YEARLY COMPARISON

REAPING BENEFITS FROM SMART REFORMS

Texas continues to strengthen its charter sector through the implementation of 2013 reform legislation. Efforts should continue to focus on refining the full range of growth and accountability policies.

NACSA RECOMMENDS

Continue to implement authorizer quality and charter school accountability provisions. As Texas continues to implement the significant reforms passed in 2013, the state may benefit from further refinement of policies concerning approval, renewal, replication, and closure proceedings as needed. NACSA also encourages the state to extend many of these policies to more broadly encompass LEA authorizers and their practices as reform continues.

Establish authorizer evaluations on an as-needed or self-evaluative basis. Authorizer self-evaluations require an authorizer to reflect on its practices and outcomes and identify areas for improvement. This would identify any LEA authorizers in need of improvement and provide a mechanism for the State Commissioner of Education or the State Board of Education to proactively recommend the improvement of internal practices.

Consider authorizer sanctions if additional school districts choose to authorize large portfolios of charter schools. This will create a mechanism to impose consequences, if necessary, if authorizers are not engaged in high-quality authorizing activity.